Geordie GUM website may spare patients’ blushes

The site, which contains a self-diagnosis section, a step-by-step guide to visiting the clinic and an A-Z of infections, was opened by Stuart Grimes and Joe Shaw from the Newcastle Falcons.

“Staff from the clinic, along with colleagues from the PCT’s web development team, IM&T management as well as web development firm TNL and Robson Brown PR have been working on the site for some time,” explained Dr Richard Pattman, clinical head of service at the GUM clinic. “We have taken an innovative approach to developing this site, aimed at young people, by making it informative, light hearted and easy to understand."

As well as a comprehensive dictionary of health information, the site also contains a Pacman game renamed “Clapman”, a version of Hangman where you have to guess the sexually transmitted diseases, and e-cards with slogans such as “Sex is better when you know what you are getting."

“We believe that our new website tackles the subject of sexually transmitted diseases in a frank, sensible, yet light-hearted way," says Ruth Hackett, web manager.  

The website is live at www.gumnewcastle.nhs.uk.

Left to right: Stuart Grimes from the Newcastle Falcons, Blush the cartoon mascot, Dr Richard Pattman and fellow Falcon Joe Shaw.